Vigil honors Atlantic City man killed on New Year’s

Friends and family gathered Thursday at the spot where Lamir Jack King.The vigil at Lincoln and Ohio avenues began at 6:30 p.m., the moment the 21-year-old was pronounced dead New Year’s Day.But rather than focus on how he died, those who loved him focused on how he lived.“I just want his name to live on,” Key Ali Smith said of her younger brother. Atlantic City police officers gathered to keep watch over the vigil, making sure no cars came down the street as loved ones paid their respects.King would have turned 22 next Wednesday. His girlfriend’s birthday is two days later.She said she wasn’t ready to talk about her lost love. “He said what he meant and he meant what he said,” she said.Many remembered him as a positive person who loved to be with his family. He often would make plans to eat out.“That was how he made up,” Smith said.And while many of his friends knew him as Sav, she said her baby brother would always be “Jack Jack Attack” to her. “Because he could do some damage,” she said, laughing through her tears.King loved family, sneakers and money, those who knew him said.He wanted to have success, and possibly own a business, although he was undecided on what they would be.Laquille King, 25, said he and his brother had been talking about a restaurant.“I would have been the one to watch the door,” Smith joked, “because I can’t cook.”“This hurts, but you helped so much,” Shirley King said of all those who came out in support.

Smith put out a call on Facebook less than a day before the vigil, and said the family was overwhelmed by the response.“All of you showed up for my brother and I appreciate that from the bottom of my heart,” she said.Veronica Grant, the mother of King’s girlfriend, urged those gathered to make sure to check up on the family as time goes on.“I’ve been there,” said Grant, who lost her mother to violence nine years ago Dec. 11. “I’m still suffering.”Many urged anyone who knows anything about the killing to come forward to help give the family some justice. They stressed tip411, which allows someone to anonymously text with police. Anyone with information can text information to tip411 (847411) beginning the text with ACPD. Information may also be called into the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 09-909-7666 or Atlantic City police at 609-347-5766.